USA vs. FSU box score

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The University of South Alabama softball team defeated its first nationally ranked opponent of the season taking down No. 21/22 Florida State 3-1 Thursday evening at JoAnne Graf Field.

“This was obviously a huge road win for us,” said USA head coach Becky Clark. “Last weekend at ULL, our defense and pitching did the job, and they certainly did the job tonight. We made some adjustments offensively. We came back, looked at film and talked about the things that we needed to do differently, and I thought the kids did that 100 percent tonight. I’m really proud of them for making the changes, making the adjustments and giving themselves a chance.”

With the win, USA improved to 25-12 on the year. After dropping its third home contest of the season, FSU fell to 36-9 overall.

Sophomore lefty Hannah Campbell (15-8) went the distance for South Alabama recording the win and allowing only one run while striking out 11 in seven innings of work. Monica Perry (16-5) took the loss after giving up five hits and three runs in 2.2 innings in the circle.

“I thought Hannah was great tonight,” Clark said. “She and Alex (Breeden) did a great job of working together. She’s been doing a really good job of not giving in. She stays on the corner. She’s not giving them a big part of the plate that they can really drive. She was on the corners and executing pitches tonight. She and Alex both did a great job tonight.”

The Jags outhit the Seminoles 7-4. Junior Meghan Collins went 2-for-2 with a run and a RBI. Senior Christin Crocker, juniors Brittany Fowler and Britany Campbell, and freshmen Blair Johnson and Alex Breeden each added a hit apiece.

South Alabama took the early lead in the top of the second using a pair of walks, a double and a sacrifice fly to push a run across. After striking Crocker out to open the second inning, Perry walked Collins. Breeden then stepped up and hit a double to the left field fence putting runners on second and third. Richards took the second walk of the inning to load the bases before junior Britany Campbell hit a sacrifice fly to center field bringing Collins home.

The Jags were able to tack on two more the next inning. Johnson led off the third with a double to left center. With two outs Crocker hit a single to left plating Johnson. Collins followed with a single up the middle scoring Crocker and giving South Alabama the 3-0 advantage. FSU’s Lacey Waldrop came in to relive Perry and finished the inning with a K.

Florida State cut the deficit to two putting up a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Shayla Jackson got things started with a triple down the left line. After H. Campbell struck out Celeste Gomez looking she issued her first walk of the contest to Briana Hamilton who then advanced to second. Evenlyn Morgado sent Jackson home when she reached on a fielder’s choice with a sacrifice bunt. Another H. Campbell strikeout and a ground out ended the inning and the Seminole attack.

The Jags will head the Hattiesburg, Miss. on Saturday to square off with Southern Miss at 2 p.m. before returning home to host the Golden Eagles Sunday at 2 p.m. at Jaguar Field.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).